From left, Taylor Cleland, Ashley Brendlen, Allison Brendlen and Victoria Tuten smile for a group selfie while in the waiting area before the Thomas Heyward Academy commencement ceremony on May 30, 2014, at Thomas Heyward Academy in Ridgeland. Staff photo

From left, Taylor Cleland, Ashley Brendlen, Allison Brendlen and Victoria Tuten smile for a group selfie while in the waiting area before the Thomas Heyward Academy commencement ceremony on May 30, 2014, at Thomas Heyward Academy in Ridgeland. Staff photo

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Salutatorian: Taylor Michelle Cleland, who will attend the University of South Carolina.

From the principal: "The Thomas Heyward Academy Class of 2014 stands out as a cohesive unit of young people who are community service-minded with a willingness to 'get the job done' and an overall attitude of how they can best help someone other than themselves." -- Eddie Stanley